Bill > S08175

This bill enacts the "recruit, empower, support, pay, educate, connect and train (RESPECT) nurses act" for the purpose of supporting current nurses, nursing students, and increasing the number of nurses within the state. The key provisions of the bill include: - Expanding an existing scholarship program to cover nursing students enrolled in approved undergraduate nursing programs in New York state, with requirements to work as a nurse in an area with a nursing shortage after graduation. - Establishing a new scholarship program for healthcare workers in New York to enroll in part-time undergraduate or practical nursing programs, with requirements to work as a nurse in an area with a nursing shortage after graduation. - Increasing the maximum loan forgiveness award for nursing faculty from $40,000 to $60,000 and reducing the maximum duration of the award from 5 years to 4 years. - Establishing a new student loan refinancing program for nursing faculty in New York to help relieve their student debt burdens. - Allowing registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists licensed in other states or countries to practice in New York without state licensure if they work in areas with nursing shortages. - Creating a nurse loan repayment program and a nursing preceptor support fund to incentivize nurses to work in areas with nursing shortages. The bill also authorizes the use of simulation training for up to 50% of nursing clinical training requirements and provides tax incentives and retirement earning exemptions for retired nurses working as nursing faculty.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S8175